Keep or Sell my Kimber Gold Match?

[HMMurdock]

Here's the story:

I am the owner of a Type I Kimber Gold Match (internal extractor) that I had refinished black and installed a magwell, ambi-safety and memory beavertail. I am questioning whether or not it suits my purposes, however, and I thought I should come to me fellow high roaders for your advice.

The Pros: It is accurate as sin. Even for a match-grade pistol, this baby is insanely accurate. And considering it is a match-grade pistol, I am rather impressed with the fact I have never had a single malfunction in it. I'm used to Kimber's high quality, but you can feel how well machined this pistol is when firing it or even racking the slide. It's an impeccable piece of art.

The Cons: I hate target sights. I had them changed to Heinie Straight-8's which I am not used to, and the guy that installed them marred the rear sights so I need to change them anyway. No one seems to make 3 dot sights for a Kimber adjustable-cut slide. I also want a 1911 with a checkered front strap, as my Gold Match has a smooth front strap. I am also afraid of trusting life or death situations to "match" pistols, due to their extremely tight tolerances.

Working in law enforcement, I intend to carry this firearm off duy frequently. I feel that suitable sights are key, and checkered 1911s do wonders for my point of aim. I am SOL on sights, but I could have it checkered, but I don't have the funds nor will I any time soon, not to mention the fact I'll have to have it refinished again! Definately don't have the cash for all that. And it is a match-grade pistol. Not that I plan on crawling through a lot of mud with it, but I am trusting my life to it and not running ISPC courses or anything. I've yet to have a jam, but with it being a match-grade pistol am I asking for trouble?

Do you think I'm in safe hands with my customized Gold Match or should I sell it and find something more adapted to my purposes? Please let me know why you feel the way you do. Thanks, all.

 

[HisSoldier]

Glad to hear from someone else who doesn't hate Kimber. I like mine very much. I can't add to what you've said though, I don't carry a 1911, I shoot it for fun. I like the target sights on my Team Match II.

 

[colubrid]

If you have a 1911 that is that relaible and shoots that well you will regret selling later. Interest in certain guns tend to come back full circle and then it will be a fav again.

 

[glockman19]

If you have a 1911 that is that relaible and shoots that well you will regret selling later.

Agreed. Keep it and if you want something else get it but why get rid of a great pistol?

 

[HMMurdock]

Keep it and if you want something else get it but why get rid of a great pistol?

Because I can't even afford to tweak the Gold Match the way I want her, much less purchase a whole new pistol

 

[19-3Ben]

So hold out and save up!! You'll regret getting rid of it. Shoot, the fact that you specifically called it a "match-grade pistol" 4 times in 3 paragraphs, and went on about how nice it feels just goes to show the great admiration and respect you have for this gun, that has NEVER had a failure! How many rounds through it BTW?
Keep it. You'll regret it if you don't and it'll only cost you more money later on to replace it.

 

[TimboKhan]

Your not happy with it because it doesn't have the features that you require (or, apparently, the ability to get the features aftermarket): Sell it and get something your completely satisfied with. I am sure it is a good gun, but lots of good guns would be unsuitable for your use, so why stick with this one?

It's a 1911, and there are plenty of options available to you. It may be a piece of art, but you wouldn't dig a hole with a shovel made of gold, would you? That being said, this is the key phrase to me that tells me you should sell it:

I am also afraid of trusting life or death situations to "match" pistols, due to their extremely tight tolerances.

If your afraid to trust your life to it, it's an unsuitable gun for you, period. I don't care if John Browning himself hammered it out of steel smelted from a fallen star, if you don't trust it, it's worthless.

 

[kingpin008]

I'm gonna go with Timbo on this one. I can understand that a fine gun is worth hanging onto, but a fine gun is worthless if it's not getting shot because the owner isn't comfortable using it. If a gun doesn't suit you for whatever reason, be it unreliable for SD or just isn't your thing, why in hell not sell it back for something that does? Like the OP, I barely have the cash to feed and maintain the guns I have now - what's the sense in keeping something on hand that I can barely afford to use/feed/just keep around, when I can find a good home for it and buy something more my speed?

I understand it's a great gun but in my view if you want/need something else, go for something else. There will always be Kimbers out there, should you change your mind.

 

[.45&TKD]

Unless you buy another Kimber with front strap checkering standard, you'll most likely be paying for front strap checkering on your next 1911 after purchase anyway. So, you'll be paying extra for that no matter what you do.

I wouldn't want go from a Series l to a Series ll. So the main issue is the sights, of which maybe someone else can help you with. (Never had target sights myself). If you can solve the sight issue, I'd say stick with what you have.

 

[andrewshogun]

I'd keep it. I actually have that exact same pistol, and found that the proceeding Gold Match series has more reported issues. Many say the Gold Match I is a keeper for this reason, coupled with the fact that it shoots very, very accurately. If you need a pistol that 'meets your needs more', I'd just buy another one. For a carry pistol there are many better alternatives out there, but the Gold Match I is a keeper imo... Here's a picture of mine:

 

[Ala Dan]

The Kimber Gold match sounds like a "keeper" too me~!

 

[schmeky]

Checkered front strap - get some skate board tap. Brownells has an insert that simulates a checkered front strap, I think it's $10.00.

Sights - I just bought Trijicons for my Series I Classic Custom Kimber, Novak style, just like the original Novak style target sight my Kimber came with.

Finish - Walter Birsong will teflon coat your slide for about $60.00 (this includes shipping of the slide). As your financial situation changes, you can always have it refinished later with whatever you want.

My Kimber is like yours, insanely accurate, feels like a precision swiss watch, a real work of art, and is a joy to handle and admire. You have said over and over how well yours shoots and how accurate and reliable it is.

Keep it. You'll kick yourself later on if you don't.

 

[TimboKhan]

If you need a pistol that 'meets your needs more', I'd just buy another one

A lot of you guys have said basically the same thing, but your ignoring the fact that this is a guy who can't afford to just run out and buy a $1000.00 gun. I am sure that it is a very, very nice gun, but I think you guys are ignoring the forest for the tree. There are roughly 650 trillion 1911 manufacturers and 54 quintillion different variables. I am positive beyond all doubt that he will be able to find a 1911 that is as accurate, has sights that he likes, and will be something he can trust. I am also certain that he can do so without laying awake at nights regretting selling what he has now. For that matter, if you guys like his pistol so much, maybe he can sell or trade to one of you guys! That would be the best of all worlds, because then two people would be happy!

 

[Majic]

I've yet to have a jam, but with it being a match-grade pistol am I asking for trouble?

You will be asking that question of any pistol until it do finally jam. Right now you have one that has a head start on the answer. You get another pistol and it has to prove itself to be at least as reliable as the one you now have.